Venom and Song Read Online Free PDF Page B

tapped Kat on the shoulder. “This is insane!”
    She nodded and mouthed something Tommy couldn’t hear. He looked over at Kiri Lee, and his heart stopped for a moment. She had ducked her head and bent her torso down so low that at first he thought she was gone. It wouldn’t be that hard, Tommy thought, to fall out . He shook the image away and tried to focus on the positive. Jett’s got to be loving this . Tommy started to turn to look for Brynn’s cavesurfer, but heard Grimwarden: “HEAD DOWN! DEEP BREATH!”
    The cavesurfer stabbed into the black water at the bottom of the falls. Tommy felt as if his stomach broke free from its lodging in his head, shot down through his neck, ricocheted around his shoulders and rib cage, and jettisoned into his feet. There was silence, but a deep churning pressure pulsed in his ears. All went dark until he saw stars and struggled against the urge to gasp for air. Tommy forced himself to relax and was rewarded with the feeling of ascent. Just when he thought he couldn’t hold his breath anymore, he felt his back pop-up into open air, water filling the cavesurfer to his knees.
    â€œYou can sit up now,” Grimwarden instructed, the rushing sound of water falling behind them.
    â€œYou mean, we’re not dead?” Tommy asked.
    â€œNo, Tommy. But almost.”
    â€œThat was—”
    â€œHELP!” came a desperate scream half-choked with water.
    Grimwarden jammed hard on the tiller and spun the surfer around. “Where?” he demanded. Other cavesurfers continued to plunge into the falls, only to pop-up seconds later. “Where?! Does anyone see?”
    â€œWait,” said Kat. “Where’s Flet Marshall Brynn’s surfer? They were right behind us.”
    â€œThey were,” Goldarrow confirmed. “But I don’t see them.”
    â€œHELP!” came the voice again. A flame leaped up from the water.
    â€œIt’s Johnny!” Kiri Lee yelled. “Look there!”
    They could all see Johnny now, flailing, his head dipping beneath the water. Just in time, Regis’s surfer swept by him, and she grabbed his arm. Her flet soldier passengers hauled Johnny out of the water. “We have him!” she called.
    â€œWhat of Jett, Jimmy . . . and the others?” Grimwarden called back.
    Ice forming in the pit of his stomach, Tommy watched as Regis and the others scanned the water, each crying out, “Brynn! Jimmy! Jett! Can you hear me?! Mr. Wallace!”
    Regis called again, waited, and then shook her head. “No sign!” Regis called back. She wheeled the craft around and raced immediately to Grimwarden. “Johnny says their surfer capsized,” Regis explained, still looking out into the water.
    â€œFlet soldiers!” Grimwarden called. “Rekindle the torchcells! Spread out and search. We have four in the water! Beware of the whirlpool!” Immediately more than a dozen surfers scattered.
    â€œWe need more light!” Goldarrow exclaimed.
    A timid voice emerged from Regis’s cavesurfer. “I think . . . I can help with that.”
    Those who heard looked over at Johnny.
    â€œNay, son,” said Grimwarden. “Rest, get your strength back.”
    A gentle hand touched his shoulder. “Olin, we need the light.”
    Grimwarden frowned. He knew she was right. He looked across the water at Johnny. “Can you manage?”
    â€œI think so.”
    â€œFlet soldiers, give him room!” commanded Goldarrow. Then to Johnny, she said, “Not too much, all right?” She indicated the lightly constructed cavesurfer and its occupants.
    â€œRight,” he breathed, remembering how far the flames traveled the last time. “Not too much . . .” Johnny held out his hands in front of him, staring into his palms as if studying every line on his skin. He furrowed his brow and worked his jaw. But nothing happened.
    Ah, he is spent, thought Goldarrow.